Why Luxury is All About ‘Time’ for This Hamptons-Based Architect

Blaze Makoid, who founded Blaze Makoid Architects in Bridgehampton, New York, in 2001, specializes in building second homes, particularly in the Hamptons and in the western United States.

Based in Bridgehampton and Lake Tahoe, California, Mr. Makoid is known for ultra-modern designs, often employing a glass box look.

He said his clients often request that their vacation homes feel like the luxury hotels they’ve stayed in. Increasingly, they want their second (or third or fourth homes as the case may be) to feel like personal resorts, he said, complete with an indoor/outdoor flow, and plenty of high-end amenities.

“Clients are also talking more about ‘legacy’ projects,” he said. They’re looking a generation or two down the road and looking at how their homes can morph for future generations.“

We caught up with Mr. Makoid to talk about time as the ultimate luxury, the proliferation of supertall buildings and much more.

Blaze Makoid: Two things I like to do most are boating and skiing, so if there was a place that existed where I could pull my boat up to the backyard and put on my skis six months later, that would be pretty amazing.

MG: Do you have a real estate property that got away?

BM: We bought our property in Sag Harbor, a small lot on the water, about 12 years ago, and when we first discovered the neighborhood, my wife and I had seen another property two doors away that was for sale. We made an offer and never got a return call. That property has a higher viewpoint than ours, but we got pretty close.

MG: What does luxury mean to you?

BM: For myself, and for more clients, it’s about time. It’s about getting time with family, friends and time for myself. Every one of my clients—whether they’re in the Hamptons or out West— refers to different luxury resorts that they’ve been to. It dawned on me a few years ago that we’re basically designing luxury resorts—places to wind down.

BM: I’ve been really fascinated by all the supertalls that are going up. It seems like it all came out of the blue. The idea of living in something that high—I’m just curious if it brings a sense of solitude. Every time I can come into New York City I think about that a lot.

MG: Where are the best luxury homes in the world and why?

BM: There are beautiful homes all over the world, but to me it’s about being in an area where you’re engaged in whatever the geography has to offer—whether that’s skiing or boating or an urban way of life. A beautiful home in a nondescript or generic area is kind of pointless.

MG: What’s your favorite part of your home?

BM: Without a doubt, the window seat in our living room. I shared a converted attic with my brother growing up, and we had a window seat and I was thinking about that when I designed it. Ours is wraparound seating with views of the water. You can sit on it and be inside and outside at the same time.

BM: My house feels more like being in the Adirondacks than the Hamptons. The inspiration came from turn-of-the-century Adirondacks camps. Our house is black—it’s one of those dark houses that disappear into the woods.

MG: What’s the most valuable thing in your home?

BM: We live on a small lot—a third of an acre—but the way it manages the dichotomy between the street and the water is amazing. When you come through the front door, you really feel like it’s just you and the water.

MG: What’s the most valuable amenity to have in a home right now?

BM: Control of your view. We’re seeing this more and more in the Hamptons, and have had to work through it out west. Lots are often close together, and if you don’t control your vista you may lose it along the way.

BM: Just take your time. These are huge investments, so in addition to doing homework on comps, go at different times of the day, in different weather. See how the home responds to things like noise and traffic.

MG: What’s going on in the news that will have the biggest impact on the luxury real estate market?

BM: Obviously politics plays a big part of it. The market had hit the pause button this fall, so a lot of people were waiting to see how things shook out. I’m not sure we’re completely beyond that just yet. But people have at least a better feel that they can move forward with their projects.

MG: If you had a choice of living in a new development or a prime resale property, which would you choose and why?

BM: For many years, I’ve been of the mindset that I’d only want a standalone property, but I’ve seen some new developments out West that have opened my eyes. There’s an area in Jackson Hole, for example, called Shooting Star, and Martis Camp in Lake Tahoe. The development company purchases sometimes thousands of acres and each house they build on the property looks different. They have design guidelines and the quality is amazing. It’s got both design and this amazing quality of amenities, too, and that’s really opened my eyes.